MLB Draft Combine Testing Insights & Results

DATA LAST UPDATED: MAY 2025

Major League Baseball Combine Testing Protocol, and Average Player Statistics (Based on Position)

When you think of elite baseball players, you probably picture smooth swings, rocket throws, or blazing speed around the bases—not necessarily someone crushing a 40-yard dash or putting up huge numbers in the weight room.

That said, unlike the NFL Combine, Major League Baseball does not mandate standardized fitness testing for its prospects or players. There’s no official league-wide requirement for players to go through performance assessments, either at the amateur or professional level. And because of this, publicly available data on physical benchmarks in the MLB is extremely limited.

So what do we know?

Some teams run their own tests—things like sprint times, vertical jumps, and agility drills (these are combined with MLB medical and performance assessments)—especially during the pre-draft process or within their minor league development systems. But without a centralized testing protocol like the NFL or NBA, it’s hard to nail down consistent, position-specific benchmarks for the MLB. In many cases, results stay in-house, and are used for internal evaluation and development tracking.

Still, it’s clear that today’s top baseball athletes are bigger, faster, and more physically prepared than ever before. From the raw power of sluggers to the explosive speed of base-stealers, physical performance has become a more important piece of the puzzle, even if it’s not always measured the same way across the board.

So whether you’re a young athlete aiming for the Show, a coach building a program, or a fan curious about the physical side of the game, this breakdown will give you a snapshot of the role athleticism plays in modern baseball. Just keep in mind—unlike other pro leagues, the MLB’s numbers are a bit more behind-the-scenes.

Let’s dive into what we do know—and explore the evolving physical standards of baseball’s elite.

Strength and Conditioning: Combine Testing Standards

The MLB Conducts 4 different optional physical tests for its athletes during the MLB Combine. These include:

Counter movement Jump
Broad Jump
30 Yard Dash
Agility & Reaction Test

So lets dive into the stats:

Counter Movement Jump (CMJ)

The CMJ is a test used to measure lower-body power and explosiveness. Athletes perform a maximum vertical jump starting from a standing position, dipping quickly into a squat before jumping as high as possible. The test is typically conducted on a force plate, which captures detailed metrics like jump height, force output, and rate of force development. It can be performed with or without an arm swing, depending on whether the goal is to isolate lower-body performance or assess full-body coordination and power.

Statistics:

CMJ performance data from past combines is extremely limited. In 2024, the only recorded result was a 32-inch jump (with arm swing) by Tytus Cissell. In 2023, the average CMJ across all recorded attendees was 19.4 inches.

Broad Jump

The Broad Jump measures how far an athlete can jump forward from a standing start, testing lower-body power and explosiveness. In 2021, a small pre-jump was allowed to build momentum, but this was removed in the 2023 format to standardize results.

Statistics:

Just like the CMJ, Broad Jump data from the MLB Combine is very limited. In 2024, Cade Obermuller recorded the top jump at 123 inches, with the top 10 ranging from 123 to 119.75 inches. In 2023, the average jump among MLB Combine attendees was 107.1 inches.

30 Yard Dash

The 30-Yard Dash is used to assess an athlete’s speed and acceleration over a short distance. Participants start in a side-on stance, mimicking a base-stealing position, and sprint in a straight line. Timing gates are placed every five yards to track split times and analyze how quickly they reach top speed.

Statistics: 

In 2022, the fastest 30-Yard Dash was recorded by Jeric Curtis with a time of 3.50 seconds, while the top 10 times ranged from 3.685 to 3.50 seconds. In 2023, Homer Bush Jr. posted the best time at 3.523 seconds, with an overall participant average of 3.772 seconds. Most recently, in 2024, Kellon Lindsey led the field with a 3.538-second sprint, and the top 10 performances ranged from 3.656 to 3.538 seconds.

Agility & Reaction Test

The Agility & Reaction Test, known as “Man in the Box,” challenges an athlete’s reaction time, decision-making, and lateral quickness. The athlete stands at the center of four touchpads, each mounted on a tripod and positioned around them.

The test has two levels:

• Level 1 – Capture the Green Box: One pad randomly lights up with a solid green box, while the others remain blank. The athlete must quickly locate and touch the correct pad.
• Level 2 – Capture the Green 3: A more complex version where only one pad displays a green number 3, while the others show various colored shapes or numbers. The athlete must ignore distractions and react to the correct target.

In both levels, the goal is to accurately touch ten targets as fast as possible, testing not just speed but focus and reaction under pressure.

Statistics:

Unfortunately, there is no publicly available data for this test.

Average MLB player statistics based on position:

Pitcher

• Height: 6’11”
• Weight: 210lbs
• Average Throwing Velocity: 92-95mph
• Batting Average: .174
• On-Base Percentage: .216
• Average Sprint Speed (in feet per sec): N/A
• ERA: Under 3.00 (elite), around 4.50 (average)

Catcher

• Height: 6’01”
• Weight: 211lbs
• Average Throwing Velocity: 79-82mph
• Batting Average: .250
• On-Base Percentage: .310
• Average Sprint Speed (in feet per sec): 25.7

First Baseman

• Height: 6’1”
• Weight: 221lbs
• Average Throwing Velocity: 75-80mph
• Batting Average: .273
• On-Base Percentage: .314
• Average Sprint Speed (in feet per sec): 26.1

Second Baseman

• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 191lbs
• Average Throwing Velocity: 78-80mph
• Batting Average: .263
• On-Base Percentage: .310
• Average Sprint Speed (in feet per sec): 27.5

Third Baseman

• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 202lbs
• Average Throwing Velocity: 85-90mph
• Batting Average: .264
• On-Base Percentage: .309
• Average Sprint Speed (in feet per sec): 26.8

Shortstop

• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 190lbs
• Average Throwing Velocity:85-90mph
• Batting Average: .258
• On-Base Percentage: .310
• Average Sprint Speed (in feet per sec): 27.8

Outfielder

• Height: 6’3”
• Weight: 201lbs
• Average Throwing Velocity: 85-90 mph
• Batting Average: .273
• On-Base Percentage: .339
• Average Sprint Speed (in feet per sec): 27.9

Designated Hitter

• Height: 6’4”
• Weight: 210lbs
• Average Sprint Speed (in feet per sec): 25.9
• Batting Average: .262
• On-Base Percentage: .340

Conclusion: MLB Combine Results – Needs More Standardization

While the data from these non-mandatory tests is limited and not always consistent year to year, it’s clear that strength and conditioning play a major role in today’s game. As the sport continues to evolve, athleticism has become a key separator at every level. Even without a standardized testing system like in other leagues, players who are faster, stronger, and more explosive often have an edge. For any young athlete chasing a future in baseball, putting time into physical development isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

*Data was collected from various sources including but not limited to: MLB.com, TopEndSports.com, and College Sports Data